Wall cabinet



Nov. 20, 1951 R B, 2,575,530

WALL CABINET Filed Sept. 24, 1945 2 SHEETS SHEET l INVENTOR. FoZerZ B. )TeL aZ Nov. 20, 1951 R. B. REID 2,575,530

. WALL CABINET Filed Sept. 24, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR- Y 770Zer'2' Z. 762%.

' B M, vf e.

Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES *IPATENT' OFFICE 1 WALL CABINET Robert B. Reid, Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Application September 24, 1945, Serial No. 618,366

4 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in medicine cabinets and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a medicine cabinet that has a relatively large amount of storage space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a medicine cabinet that has storage space both in the cabinet and in the door that closes the cabinet.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a medicine cabinet having shelving separated from the rest of the cabinet by an inner door and in which the bottom of the casing forms a supporting shelf in front of the inner door.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a medicine cabinet in which a plain mirror is carried by the inner door, a magnifying mirror is mounted on the inner side of the easing door and a lamp is suspended from the top of the casing between said doors so that both of the mirrors are readily available for use when the outer door is opened.

A further object is the provision of a medicine cabinet in which the lamp properly illuminates both of the mirrors when the outer door is open but is shielded from the eyes of a person facing the cabinet by a part of the casing.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a medicine cabinet in which the forward edges of certain of the shelves are set back or recessed to accommodate tall bottles or other containers.

A yet further object is the provision of a medicine cabinet that includes a lock box in the portion containing the shelving.

Another object is the provision of a medicine cabinet in which the inner door can be swung to a position in front of the lamp so that the back surface of the door reflects light from the lamp onto the shelves.

Another object is the provision of a novel methd of fabricating the casing and shelves so that the casing rigidly supports the shelves without necessity of bolting or welding the latter.

Another object is the provision of a novel method of fabricating the medicine cabinet whereby a standard front including the casing door can be attached either to a rear portion adapted for mounting on a fiat wall or a rear portion adapted for mounting in a corner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a medicine cabinet embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Attention is first directed to Figures 1-4 which show a cabinet adapted to be mounted'on a fiat wall surface. This cabinet has an outer casing which comprises a vertical cylindrical wall Ill, a top l2 and a bottom l4. Mounted within the casing are a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal shelves [6, l8, and 20. The arcuate rear edges of the shelves abut the wall Ill and the rectilinear forward edges thereof define a chord a substantial distance in front of the center of the cabinet. In order to facilitate assembly of the casing and shelves and to provide a strong rigid structure, the vertical wall 10 is formed of front and rear sections Illa and lb which join at approximately the forward edges of the shelves I6, [8 and 20 and are welded together as at 2|. The weld material is ground flush with the wall I0 so that the casing has a smooth, finished appearance.

Prior to assembly of the wall sections [6a and 10b and shelves I6, [8 and 20, the rear wall section Illa is formed with spaced rows of projections 22. A separate row of projections is provided for each of the shelves, the projections of each row are staggered and the vertical spacing of the staggered projections is substantially equal to the thickness of the shelves. The projections are pref erably formed by a pressing operation in which the material of the sheet lob is deformed or bulged by a suitable die. The shelves are first assembled with the rear wall section [0b by positioning the rear edges of each shelf between the staggered projections of its respective row and then drawing the wall section tightly around the shelves. .It will be readily apparent that the wall section extends forwardly beyond the widest portions of the shelves and, when clamped in this position, securely holds the shelves and prevents them from moving forwardly away from its inner surface; The front wall section 16a is then welded to the rear wall section 16b in the manner hereinabove described and as best shown in Fig. 2. When the casing sections and shelves have been assembled, the annular flanges i241 and Ma of top l2 and bottom it are fitted around the ends of the casing and spot welded or otherwise secured thereto. This method of assembly is simple and readily accomplished. It provides a sturdy light-weight unit and the shelves [6, l6, and 20 are rigidly and solidly held without welding, riveting, or bolting the same to the wall In.

While the projections 22 are here shown in the form of inwardly extending bulges or blisters, it

is to be understood that the invention contemplates any equivalent construction where projections or lugs are pressed or struck from the wall II! .-,'and located to grip the edges of the shelves 16, I 8 and 20 when the parts are corelated and assembled in the manner hereinabove de-, scribed.

Q "the inner door 56 is closed, their respective mir- Formed in the front wall section Illa is anopening 24 through which access is had to the ,interior of the cabinet and mounted in the opening is a hinged door 26. It will sbeobseryedcthat the door 26 is curved transversely so that it conforms with the shape of the cabinet wall it when'in'the closed position and that-.the swinging edge of the .dooncarriesia latchmember 28 which engages a catch 36 to releasably hold thedoor closed.

:In the upper lportionof .door 26 is a cupboard 32 which is .readily accessible when the door is openand in which cosmetics and other sundries can conveniently be stored. The cupboard 32 is formed by a front panel 134, top. 35 and bottom 38. As best shown in Fig.2, the front panel 134 is spaced slightly inwardly from the edges of the door-26 and the opposite edges of the panel are bent rearwardly and spot welded or otherwise secured thereto. Top.35 and bottom 38 may conveniently be integral with the front panel 34 and are formed with arcuately curved edges which snugly'fit the inner surface of the door. The integral connection between the above parts providesa relatively rigid structure; however, if desired,'the top "36 and'bottom33 canibetack welded to the 'door or formed with inturned flanges and spot welded thereto inc-the same manner as the front:panel .34. Inorderto provide access "to the cupboard 32, thefront panel 34 is'formed with a relatively large opening All which is normally closed by a hinged doorAZ. Adjacent the swinging edge of the door .42 is an outwardly extending handle. and on the inner side of the door is a latch 46 which releasably engages a-.catch 4! to hold the door closed. Mounted on the outer face of door '42 is a magnifying mirror 48.

At the bottom of door '26 is a transverse shelf 50 which provides additional storage space. It will also be observed that the shelf 513 is positioned below the mirror 48 and is thus conveniently located for supporting cosmetics or various toilet articles. In order to prevent articles from falling or being knocked inadvertently from the shelf 56, the forward edge of the latter is provided with an upstanding lip or guard 52.

Mounted on the inner surface of door '26 between the cupboard'iit and the shelf 59 is a rack 54 for toothbrushes and the like.

The cabinet is also provided with an inner door or panel :56 which closes .the portion occupied by the shelves I6, I8 and 20. One side of the door 56 'is attached'to the vertical wall I!) adjacent the forward edges of the shelves by a hinge 58 and the other side thereof is adapted to swing outwardly through the opening 24, as best shown in Figs. '1 and 2. When in the closed position the door 56 seats solidly against an inwardly extending flange 59 which is welded or otherwise attached to the casing immediately in front of the shelves l6, l8 and 2e and it is normally held in this position by a latch 66 which engages a catch memberbzattached to the underside of shelf l8. Substantially theentire outer surface of the door 56 is covered by a plain mirror 64.

It will 'be observed that substantially one-third of the top I 2 and bottom HI project forwardly of' the doorSG when the latter is closed. Mounted .rors fiii and 64 are positioned to reflect light from the lamp fifi. Thus, in this position of the doors, both of the mirrors 48 and 64 are properly illuminated so that they can be used simultaneously or singly without moving or otherwise adjusting either the lamp means or the doors. However, if for any reason, it is desired to open the outer door 26 as far as possible so that mirror 48 no longer is properly illuminated the cupboard door 42 can be partially opened toswing the mirror back toward the lamp. In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that door 12 swings to the left although all of the other doors swing to the right.

Another desirable feature of this unique mounting and corelation of parts is that, -.when door 56 is partially open as shownin Fig. 1, its rear surface reflects light from the lamp into the rcarof the cabinet. In practice it has been found that reflected light from the door softens shadows cast by the shelves l6, l8 and '29 and otherwise assists in diffusing the direct light rays more or less uniformly through the cabinet and between the shelves.

It will be observed that the top of opening 24 is spaced substantiall below the top i2 of the casing and that the bottom of the opening is spaced substantially above the bottom I of the cabinet. The portion -68 of the vertical wall it which extends above the opening 24 is disposed directly in front of the lamp 66 and serves as a shield or baffle which prevents the lamp from shining directly into the eyes of the person using the cabinet. The portion of the casing bottom M which projects forwardly of door 53 provides a convenient shelf in front of the mirror 64 and the portion m of the vertical wall 16 which extends below the opening 24 provides an upstanding flange at the edge of the shelf which prevents articles from falling or being inadvertently knocked therefrom.

As shown in Fig. l, the forward edge of the lower shelf it is cut back or recessed, as at 12, to accommodate tall bottles or other containers on the bottom of the cabinet.

The space between the two upper shelves l8 and 28 is divided by horizontally spaced vertical partitions i4 and i6 and the space between the partitions is closed by a hinged door 18. The latter opens to the rightin the same manner as the outer door 26 and .theinner door 56 and is provided with a handle 83 and a lock 82. Partitions I l and 16 and door .18 form a lock box within the cabinet that may be used for any suitable purpose such as storingdangerous medicines or drugs.

The cabinet is attached to a fiat wall surface by male and female brackets 84 and 86. Male brackets 84 are welded or otherwise rigidly attached at the rear and adjacent the top and bottom of vertical wall It! and female brackets 86 are mounted in similarly spaced relation on the wall surface by wood screws 88 which pref-' erably are fastened through the plaster and studs for security. As best shown in Fig. 4, the male brackets 84 are provided with flat, essentially triangular downward extensions 89 which fit snugly in correspondingly shaped sockets provided in the female brackets 86. The weight of the cabinet holds the extensions 89 pressed solidly into the sockets. By reason of their fiat surfaces and triangular shape, the extensions 89 hold the cabinet rigidly positioned and pre' vent it from swinging or rocking from side to side.

The cabinet hereinabove decribed is adapted primarily for mounting on a fiat wall surface. Attention is now directed to Figs. 5 and 6 which illustrate a modified cabinet construction adapted for corner mounting. The latter cabinet is identical with the one hereinabove described except that the rear wall portion 19b is substantially L shaped in transverse section instead of arcuately curved and the shelves I6, 18 and 20 are substantially triangular in plan to conform with the cabinet wall. The front wall portion [a and its various accessories and appurtenances are identical in size and shape with the front portion of the cabinet first described. Thus, the front portion of the cabinet can be made as a unit and seam welded in the manner hereinabove described to either the cylindrical rear portion shown in Figs. 1-4 or the triangular rear portion shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This arrangement permits standardization of the entire front portion of the cabinet whereby to expedite manufacture thereof and greatly reduce the cost to the ultimate purchaser.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts ma be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wall cabinet comprising a casing having a top, a bottom and a vertical surrounding wall, the latter provided with an opening; shelving mounted in said casing with the forward edges thereof spaced inwardly from the front of the casing; a door hingedly mounted in the casing, when in the closed position said door being disposed entirely within the casing and adjacent the forward edges of the shelving so that said top and bottom of the casing project forwardly of the door and the projecting portion of the bottom constitutes a supporting shelf in front of the door; a mirror on the front of said door; and light means mounted on the projectin portion of said top, said light means being disposed in front of the door when the latter is in the closed position whereby to illuminate the mirror and behind the door when the latter is open or partially opened, the rear surface of the door being light reflecting whereby said door, when partially opened, reflects light from the light means into the interior of said casing.

2. A wall cabinet comprising a casing having a top, a bottom and a vertical surounding wall, the latter provided with an opening; shelving mounted in said casing with the forward edges thereof spaced inwardly from the front of the casing; a door hingedly mounted in the casing, when in the closed position said door being disposed entirely within the casing and adjacent the forward edges of the shelving so that said top and bottom project forwardly of the door and the projecting portion of the bottom constitutes a supporting shelf in front of the door; a mirror on the front of said door; and light means mounted on the projecting portion of said top,

the top of said opening disposed substantially below the top of the casing so that the portion of said vertical wall above the opening forms a shield for said light means and the bottom of the opening disposed substantially above the bottom of the casing so that the portion of said vertical wall below the opening forms an upstanding rail at the edge of said supporting shelf.

3. A wall cabinet comprising a casing having a top, a bottom and a vertical surrounding wall, the latter provided with an opening; a door hingedly mounted in the casing, when in the closed position said door disposed entirely within the casing so that said top and bottom project forwardly thereof; lamp means mounted in the casing on the projecting portion of said top, the top of said opening disposed substantially below the top of the casing so that the portion of said vertical wall above the opening forms a shield for said lamp means; a transversely curved door hingedly mounted in said opening; a cupboard in the upper portion of said transversely curved door; a relatively small hinged door adapted to close said cupboard; and mirrors mounted on the outer surfaces of said first and last-mentioned doors, said doors and mirrors so constructed and arranged with respect to said lamp means that both of said mirrors are positioned to reflect light from said lamp means when said second-mentioned door is open and the first-mentioned door is closed.

4. A wall cabinet comprising a casing having a top, a bottom, and a vertical wall, the latter providedwith an opening; shelving mounted in said casing with the forward edges thereof spaced inwardly from the front of the casing; a door in and hingedly fastened to the casing, when in the closed position said door being disposed within the casing and adjacent the forward edges of the shelving so that said top and bottom project forwardly of the door and the projecting portion of the bottom constitutes a supporting shelf in front of the door; a mirror on the front of said door; and light means mounted on the projecting portion of said top, the top of said opening disposed substantially below the top of the casing so that the portion of said vertical wall above the opening forms a shield for said light means.

ROBERT B. REID.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 258,604 Richardson May 30, 1882 850,210 Cady Apr. 16, 1907 965,253 Tate July 26, 1910 1,006,547 Hall Oct. 24, 1911 1,188,975 Montgomery June 27, 1916 1,221,277 Bostock Apr. 3, 1917 1,284,492 Thomas Nov. 12, 1918 1,645,103 Gulick et a1. Oct. 11, 1927 1,650,241 Stenholm Nov. 22, 1927 1,749,686 Agazzi Mar. 4, 1930 1,840,033 Hampton Jan. 5, 1932 1,927,828 Greenhill Sept. 26, 1933 1,972,631 O'Connell Sept. 4, 1934 2,057,429 Heim Oct. 13, 1936 2,109,412 Corbin Feb. 22, 1938 2,135,878 Sekyra Nov. 8, 1938 2,157,262 Kirby, Jr. May 9, 1939 2,225,762 Barnsteiner Dec. 24, 1940 

